Perhaps you have heard of Parkinson’s Law. Parkinson’s Law states that work expands to fill the time allowed.
We have all experienced this.
Give yourself the weekend to finish that report for school, and it will take the entire weekend.
Give yourself only Saturday to finish the report, and you will likely finish it by Saturday evening. Work expands to fill the time allowed.
To fight Parkinson’s Law, give yourself a deadline. Deadlines create a sense of urgency.
Give yourself a year to hit a goal, and it will take a year. Give yourself a month, and you will find yourself hitting your goal much faster.
Michael Lennington and Brian Moran dedicate an entire book to this concept.
The title sums it up. The 12-Week Year: Get More Done in 12 Weeks than Others Do in 12 Months.
In the book, the authors recommend you try to hit your goals in twelve weeks rather than twelve months.
Give yourself a year, and it will take a year. Give yourself three months, and it will take three months.
So, if you are struggling to finish a project, consider giving yourself a shorter deadline.
